Cut Out Issues?

[Bud Man]

Been fettling the bugs out of my '29 Pickup, and so far so good - up to today. Shut her down after an uneventful 10 mile ride, then decided about 4 hours later to take her back out for a short early evening drive. All electrical (starter, lights, horn) unresponsive, so I assumed that perhaps the circuit fuse had blown again. Checked it and it's fine. Hit the battery with a voltmeter and it's showing 3.3 volts. Opened up the hood and engine was barely warm from the earlier drive, but the generator and cutout felt like you could fry an egg on them! Disconnected the battery, checked it about an hour ago, and the gen is cooling down as expected. Nothing was left on, so I am wondering why the battery is so discharged. Did I fry the cutout and generator? Anybody had this happen to them?

[Bob C]

The cutout point stuck closed. I always look at my ammeter when I shut the engine
off to make sure it's not showing a discharge.


Bob

[Bud Man]

Bob,

Thanks for the info. Is the typical fix a new cut out? Forgive my ignorance on this stuff - just getting acquainted with the mysteries of Henry's Model A.

Bud

[Bill G]

You should be good to go with a new cut-out, providing no damage was done to the Genny when it was so hot. Fortunately cut-outs aren't very expensive but you Probably have to order one from one of the Model A vendors, since the likes of NAPA and Auto Zone, etc. probably don't carry them.

[J Franklin]

Get the diode in a cutout case.

[Dave Slater]

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I would suggest getting the cut out that has a built in voltage regulator from a company called Fun Projects. Dave

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Bud Man

Bob,

Thanks for the info. Is the typical fix a new cut out? Forgive my ignorance on this stuff - just getting acquainted with the mysteries of Henry's Model A.

Bud

The new cut outs are nowhere near the reliability of the original relay type. Either get a good original or be sure to get the diode type with the polarity to match your car.

[Ed in Maine]

I agree with Mike V. The original relay style are rugged but like anything else, they will wear out. You have to peek at the amp meter when you shutoff the car. This is a good item to have with you as a spare. With the solid state cutouts, if they fail by opening up, you disconnect the generator from the battery and the generator output voltage "runs away", over heating the generator and possibly burning out the coil. Ed

[Tom Wesenberg]

I have always used an original cutout and never had a problem. Bert's has original cutouts and I believe also restored original cutouts. 800-321-1931

[Flathead]

The internal construction of a plain mechanical repro is crap. A good original will serve you well.

[Patrick L.]

Check to see that the generator will motor. If it does then its probably Ok.

As said the new cutouts are pretty much junk. The old originals are good.

If you want regulation then I like the EVR made by Tom W.

[old31]

That happened to me recently. The generator was fried and the cutout was good.

[Bud Man]

Thanks to all for the great guidance and suggestions for a replacement. Got the batt up to 6.5 volts and hooked up the gennie to see if it would spin and it did, so I guess it isn't fried. I'll proceed with replacing the cut out and see how things work out. Much obliged to all! Bud

[DD931]

As a sidelight to this conversation - do the folks who have used the regulator from Fun Projects think they work OK? Seems like a good idea!!

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by DD931

As a sidelight to this conversation - do the folks who have used the regulator from Fun Projects think they work OK? Seems like a good idea!!

There are three regulators available, the cutout replacement, there is one that goes in the band and one that replaces the third brush.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Until you do replace the cutout, you can still drive the car - IF you check the ammeter after turning off the engine, as "Bob C." suggests. If the needle goes to the discharge side of the ammeter and no lights are on or the brake light switch is not stuck, open the hood and with a small hammer or big wrench, just lightly tap the top of the cutout. Don't smack it - just perform a delicate rap. You may hear a metallic "Ting!" when you do so. That's the sound of the cutout points unsticking. When they stick together, electricity flows through them and that's why the cutout heats up and eventually fries the generator. And in a short time, the battery is drained.
Marshall

[eagle]

I use the cutout replacement voltage regulator and love it. However, if you are going to stay with a cutout, just pull yours apart and file the points. Simple and effective repair.

[DD931]

Mike V - can you tell what the three choices are and where they are sold? One would be the Fun Projects design. It seems to me that the third brush would have to be deactivated so that the field current could be regulated to work properly. Do they all look like a regular cutout and don't have to be mounted on the firewall like a later V8? Thanks!!

[Badpuppy]

Originally Posted by eagle

I use the cutout replacement voltage regulator and love it. However, if you are going to stay with a cutout, just pull yours apart and file the points. Simple and effective repair.

^
+1.

The original contacts will last pretty near forever if burnished every so often.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

When shutting down, ALWAYS check the ammeter, to see if the cutout stuck, or your stupid stoplights are stuck on.
Bill Hotbattery